123inkjets Review 2026: Is Cheap Printer Ink and Toner Actually Worth It?

Let me guess how you got here. You were printing something that mattered, a tax form, a boarding pass or a school project due in the morning. The printer stopped and showed a low-ink warning. You checked the price of a replacement, read it twice, and wondered whether it was cheaper to buy a new printer.

You are not alone. Printer ink is one of the most complained-about household costs, and in 2026 that hasn’t changed. This guide takes a careful look at 123inkjets, an online store that sells compatible and remanufactured ink and toner. We’ll cover how it works, what the savings really look like, where the risks are, and how to buy smartly so that you spend less and print without drama.

Why Printer Ink Costs So Much

Printer companies often sell printers at a small profit and make their money on the supplies you buy afterwards. The cartridge size adds to the problem. A September 2026 analysis from the ink seller Castle Ink looked at 13 popular cartridges and found that genuine inkjet ink has a median price of about $12,400 per gallon. The most expensive per gallon were small HP “XL” cartridges holding 8 mL of ink or less. Castle Ink sells compatible cartridges, so take the exact numbers as one seller’s view. The pattern is still easy to spot on your own receipts: small cartridge, big price.

The size of the problem shows up in market reports too. One June 2026 report values the North American ink cartridge printer market at $21.3 billion in 2026, and notes that high replacement costs push cost-conscious buyers toward compatible and aftermarket cartridges. More people working from home has kept demand strong, and so has the habit of printing more than we admit.

What Is 123inkjets?

123inkjets is an online shop for printer ink and toner. Here is what its homepage says it offers:

• Savings of up to 75%. The store describes this as a price comparison between its remanufactured and compatible cartridges and OEM cartridges on the same site. That is worth remembering: it is the store’s own comparison, and your results depend on your model.

Policies and promotions change, so read the details at checkout.

How Shopping There Works

The process is simple:

1. Find your printer. Choose your printer brand, family and model from the drop-downs on the homepage, or browse by brand.

2. Pick your cartridge type. Look at single colours, multi-packs, and standard or XL sizes.

3. Check the details. Look at the cartridge description, yield and reviews, then add to cart.

4. Watch for deals. The site has a deals page and invites you to sign up for coupons.

Tip: write down your printer’s full model number before you start. “HP OfficeJet” is not enough. You need something like “HP OfficeJet Pro 8025e.”

Brands and Printers Covered

The store lists a long line-up of brands. The homepage names HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, Lexmark, Dell, Samsung, Xerox, Kodak, Konica Minolta, Kyocera, Ricoh, Pitney Bowes, Okidata, Sharp, Toshiba and Zebra, and the finder includes more.

Some popular examples shown on the site:

• HP: 564XL, 61XL, CE505A and CE285A

• Canon: PGI-250XL, PG-245XL and PGI-225

• Epson: 252XL, 200XL and 220XL

• Brother: LC103, LC203, TN450 and TN660

• Others: Lexmark toner, Samsung MLT cartridges, Xerox Phaser and Dell colour lasers

That range matters if you own an older or less common printer, where cartridges can be hard to find in regular shops.

Ink vs Toner: Know What Your Printer Uses

This is a common beginner mix-up, so here is a quick explanation:

• Inkjet printers spray liquid ink. They are popular at home, good for photos and colour, and often cheaper to buy.

• Laser printers use toner powder. They suit offices and anyone who prints lots of black-and-white pages, and toner doesn’t dry out the way ink can.

As a rough rule, occasional printers tend to be happier with a laser because toner doesn’t clog from sitting. People who print photos or colour graphics often prefer inkjet. Check which type you own before ordering, because the cartridges are completely different.

OEM, Compatible, Remanufactured and Refills: A Plain Comparison

Treat those savings as ranges, not promises. Castle Ink’s index found that compatible cartridges cost a median of 58% less per page than genuine ones. That is a more modest figure than the biggest headline claims, and probably a more realistic one to plan around.

The Catch You Need to Know About: HP Dynamic Security

If you read only one section, make it this one. Some newer HP printers use firmware called Dynamic Security. HP’s own product notices explain that certain printers are intended to work only with cartridges containing new or reused HP chips, and firmware updates can block cartridges that previously worked. The same notice adds that reused HP chips and circuitry allow refilled and remanufactured cartridges to keep working.

HP+ is a stricter programme. It requires an HP account, a continuous internet connection, and exclusive use of original HP ink cartridges for the life of the printer. One third-party guide warns that if you want the option of third-party ink at all, you should decline HP+ during setup, because it is hard to undo later.

What to do in practice:

• Check before you buy. Look up your printer model and whether it uses Dynamic Security or HP+.

• Choose carefully. If your printer is strict, remanufactured cartridges with an original HP chip are the type most likely to work.

• Think before enabling HP+. If cheaper ink matters to you, don’t switch it on casually.

• Be careful with firmware updates. If your current cartridges work, automatic updates can sometimes change that.

• Keep your receipt. The store says returns are accepted, so use that window to test.

This isn’t a reason to avoid third-party ink. It’s a reason to match the cartridge to the printer and not buy blindly.

The Environmental Side

Cartridges are small, but the waste adds up. A March 2026 news report states that 500 million ink and toner cartridges are dumped in landfills every year, each taking more than 1,000 years to decompose. The same report adds that remanufactured cartridges produce up to 60% less CO2 than newly made ones, yet only 15% of cartridges are recycled.

That makes remanufactured cartridges more than a money-saver. Reusing a cartridge shell keeps plastic and metal in circulation. Whatever you buy, recycle your empties through a store or manufacturer return scheme instead of binning them.

Smart Ways to Buy

1. Use your exact model number. It is usually on the front or back of the printer.

2. Compare cost per page. A cheap cartridge that prints half as many pages isn’t a bargain.

3. Look for XL sizes. They often give lower cost per page.

4. Consider multi-packs. A colour set can be cheaper than buying singles.

5. Don’t stockpile too much. Ink can dry out over time, so buy what you’ll use in a reasonable time.

6. Start with one cartridge. If you’re unsure, test a single replacement before buying a big bundle.

Everyday Habits That Cut Ink Costs

• Set your default print quality to draft or standard for everyday documents.

• Print in greyscale unless colour really matters.

• Always use print preview so you don’t waste a page on a stray line.

• Print a short test page once a week with inkjets so the nozzles don’t dry out.

• Turn the printer off properly with its power button, so the print head parks correctly.

• Reduce page margins and avoid heavy-ink fonts for drafts.

Quick Troubleshooting Guide

Printer says the cartridge isn’t recognised. Remove it, check the contacts, and reinstall it firmly. If it still fails and your printer uses Dynamic Security, contact the store and mention your exact model.

Streaky or faded prints. Run the printer’s cleaning cycle once or twice, then print a test page. If lines remain, the cartridge may be low or the print head may need attention.

Colours look wrong. Check that every colour cartridge is in the correct slot and isn’t empty. One empty colour can tint the whole print.

Printer won’t print black and white when colour is empty. Some printers insist on all cartridges being in place. Check your printer settings or manual.

Ink gone too quickly. Setup cartridges that come in the box usually hold less ink, so a fast first refill is normal.Pros and Cons at a Glance

Who Is It Best For?

• Home offices and students who print regularly

• Small businesses managing several printers

• Families with school printing needs

• Owners of older printers who need harder-to-find cartridges

• Anyone watching the budget who wants options beyond the original brand

If you print only a few pages a year, the bigger saving may come from a laser printer or from using a local print shop, not from changing cartridges.

Final Thoughts

Printer ink will probably never be cheap, but it doesn’t have to feel like a monthly shock. A store like 123inkjets can lower your costs if you do three things: know your exact printer model, understand the HP firmware rules, and compare cost per page instead of sticker price. Do that homework once, and you can stop dreading the low-ink light.

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